GROUND BEEF & ITALIAN SAUSAGE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 lb ground beef

1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
3/4 of 1 of the tomato cans of water
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp minced parsley
2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
2 cans (12-oz each) tomato paste
2 cans (12-oz each) tomato puree

Brown meats in a large skillet and drain well; transfer to a 4-quart slow cooker or crockpot.  Add the crushed tomatoes, water, garlic powder, pepper, parsley, and oregano.

Cover cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and tomato puree to the cooker; replace lid and cook on low for 6 hours.

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APPLE BREAD PUDDING

8 slices wheat bread, cut into cubes (about 4 cups)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

4 cups peeled and chopped cooking apples

Whipped cream for garnish

 

In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar; mix well.

In a 4-quart slow cooker, starting with the bread mixture, alternate layers with the chopped apples.

Cover and cook on high setting 1-1/2 hours or low setting 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are tender.

 

Serve warm with whipped cream.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Note: Add 1/2 cup raisins if desired for Apple Raisin Bread.

This is my adaptation of a recipe I got from Mr Food.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE STEW

nonstick cooking spray

1 pkg (20-oz) Italian sausage
1/2 to 3/4 lb fresh green beans, broken into bite-size pieces
2 lbs tomatoes, chunked
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup water
2 cups whole-kernel corn, drained if canned
1 tbsp instant polenta for thickener, if desired

Brown the sausages on all sides in a large nonstick skillet that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; remove to a slow cooker or crock pot.

Layer the green beans, tomatoes, and rosemary over the sausages.

In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar and water together; pour over the ingredients in the cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 hours.

Carefully remove the sausages from the cooker and place on a cutting board.  Add the corn to the cooker; replace lid.

Cut the sausages into bite-size pieces and return to the cooker.  Stir in the polenta if you wish to thicken the stew.  Cook until thickened or corn is heated through.

                                    Serve with a crusty Italian bread, if desired.

BAVARIAN-STYLE CHUCK ROAST

3 lb boneless beef chuck roast

1 tbsp canola oil
3 cups sliced yellow onions
3 cups thick-sliced carrots
3 large potatoes, sliced thick
2 large kosher dill pickles, drained, chopped
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup beef broth
1/3 cup German-style or brown mustard
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 large bay leaves
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup tap water
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet; add roast and brown on both sides.  Remove roast to a slow cooker or crock pot (at least 4-quart size).

Add the onions, carrots, potatoes, pickles, celery, broth, mustard, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, and water.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low approximately 7 hours until meat and vegetables are tender.

Remove the roast and the vegetables to serving platter. Turn cooker to high setting.

Remove 1 cup of the cooking liquid and whisk in the flour until smooth.  Return broth to the cooker and cook on high, stirring, until the broth is smooth and thick.  Serve the broth over the roast.

SLOW-COOKED LAMB CHOPS

 I love going through boxes and finding recipe clippings. This one is from Spring 1999. I am almost sure it is from a Reiman publication.

BROWNIE BOTTOM DESSERT

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup tap water
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups packaged brownie mix
1 pkg (2 3/4-oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
2 large eggs
3 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup tap water

Lightly spray the interior of a crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the brown sugar, the 3/4 cup of water, and the cocoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. 

Combine the brownie mix, pudding mix, chocolate chips, eggs, melted butter, and 1/2 cup of water in a small bowl; stir to form a batter.  Spread the batter into the bottom of the stoneware cooker and pour the boiling mix overall.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high 1 1/2 hours.  Turn heat off and let stand for half an hour then serve while warm.

Yield: 6 servings

Note: Delicious served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Note: File Photo

TYSON'S CROCKPOT CHICKEN STEW

 

PEPPER STEAK WITH A TWIST

1 1/2 lbs round steak, cut into 3-in X 1-in strips

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 cup chopped onion

1 minced garlic clove

1 tsp sugar, optional

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground ginger

4 tomatoes, cut into eighths

1 large green bell pepper, cut into strips

1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips

1/2 cup cold water

1 tbsp cornstarch

Heat oil in a skillet and brown the steak strips. Transfer to a slow cooker.

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, onion, garlic and ginger. Pour mixture over the meat in the cooker. Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or until the meat is tender and cooked through. Add the tomatoes and bell peppers, replace lid and cook another hour. 

Combine the water and cornstarch, mixing until smooth (I use a tiny whisk). Once mixture makes a smooth paste, stir into the liquid in the cooker. Stir well until blended. Turn temperature to high and cook, stirring often, until mixture is thickened.

Serve over hot rice or buttered noodles.

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RED BEANS AND RICE SOUP BY ROBIN HAAS

I got the recipe several years ago from a fellow blogger.  This recipe should work for most diabetics, too.

Red Beans & Rice Soup

A healthy vegetarian soup loaded with beans, veggies and brown rice--just combine all the ingredients in your crock pot and top with green onions and tomatoes.
Ingredients:

2× 15 oz cans	Small Red Beans, rinsed and drained well
¾ cup	Brown Rice
1	Medium Onion, finely diced
1 stalk	Celery, finely chopped
1 tsp	Black Pepper
½ tsp	Salt
1 tsp	Ground Cumin
6 cups	Low Fat Low Sodium Vegetable Broth
3-4	Green Onions, chopped
1	Medium Tomato, chopped and drained

Directions:

Mash one can of beans with a fork and combine all ingredients, except the green onions and tomato, into a crock pot. Cover, cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the rice is tender. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with green onions and chopped tomato.

Yield: 6 servings

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CITRUSY PORK SLIDERS

4 lb boneless pork shoulder - cut off most fat

6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup orange juice
12 slices Swiss cheese, halved
24 slider sandwich buns

Lightly spray interior of slow cooker or crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.  Turn cooker on low setting.

Place the pork shoulder in the cooker and sprinkle with half the garlic, half the cumin and half the oregano.

Combine the remaining garlic, cumin, and oregano with the lime and orange juices; pour over the meat in the cooker.

Place the lid on the cooker and cook on low about 5 hours until pork is fork tender and thoroughly cooked.

Remove meat to a cutting board and let rest about 5 minutes; break into pieces.

Skim the fat off the juices in the cooker; reserve juice.

To make the sandwiches, place a half slice of cheese on the top of bun and broil until melted.  Pile meat on the bottom of the buns, garnish with pickles or other garnishes as desired.  Top with the cheese top of the bun.

Yield: 24 sliders

 Note: File Photo

FRENCH ONION BEEF STEW

8 springs fresh thyme, tied together

1 can (14 1/2-oz) low-sodium beef broth
1 cup apple juice
4 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
2 onions, sliced thin
1 1/2 lb lean beef stew meat
salt to taste
pepper to taste
3 tbsp flour
4 thick slices French bread
1 cup grated Gruyere* cheese
1 tsp crushed thyme

Place the thyme, broth, apple juice, carrots, and onions in slow cooker or crock-pot and stir to combine well.

Season the beef with salt and pepper; roll in the flour to coat and place in cooker.  Cover and cook 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.  Vegetables and beef should be tender.

Ten minutes before soup is done, place bread on a foil lined baking sheet.  Sprinkle the cheese and crushed thyme over the bread and broil 1 to 2 minutes until cheese starts to brown.

To serve, remove thyme and spoon stew into 4 serving bowls and top each with a slice of the toast.

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EASY PARTY MEATBALLS

1 bag (2-lb) frozen, precooked small size meatballs

1 can jellied cranberry sauce
1 bottle (12-oz) chili sauce
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried onion flakes

Place the meatballs into a slow cooker or crockpot.

In a small mixing bowl combine the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, garlic powder, and onion flakes until well combined.  Pour mixture over the meatballs. 

Place the lid on cooker and cook on high for 4 hours.  May be kept warm for serving by turning cooker to the keep warm setting.

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CROCK-POT LASAGNA II

2 large jars Ragu sauce

1 large carton cottage cheese

1lb ground beef

1 pkg lasagna noodles

1 pkg Mozzarella cheese

In bottom of crock-pot, add a layer of Ragu, then noodles, cheese, Ragu, noodles, cheese and all the cottage cheese. Keep layering. If you cook on high, cook 2 hours. If you cook on low, cook all day.

Note: This recipe is from an old Midwestern church cookbook.

file crockpot

SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER HOT CHOCOLATE

6 cans (12-oz each) evaporated milk (may use low-fat, if desired)

4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp Mexican vanilla
1 tsp nutmeg
2 pkg (12-oz each) chocolate chips
whipped cream for serving
unsweetened cocoa powder for garnish

Uses a 4-quart slow cooker or crockpot turned on low.

Whisk together the evaporated milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg in the cooker.  Stir in the chocolate chips.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 2 to 3 hours.  Stir every 15 to 20 minutes during cooking.  May be placed on warm setting to keep warm for serving.

To serve, ladle into mugs and top each with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cocoa powder.

Note: File Photo

TURKEY CUTLETS WITH TOMATOES

1 1/2 lbs turkey cutlets

salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
2 cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 onion, sliced thin

Sprinkle the turkey cutlets with the salt and pepper; set aside.

Place half the sliced onions in the bottom of a crockpot or slow cooker.  Top with half the turkey.

Combine the tomatoes and tomato paste with the oregano and basil; in a small bowl.  Spoon half the tomato mixture over the turkey.  Repeat layers ending with the tomato mixture.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 3 to 4 hours.
Yield: 4 serving

  Note: File Photo

CHUNKY PORK CHILI

2 lbs pork stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces

salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 can (15-oz) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15-oz) chili beans, do not drain
2 cans (14-oz each) chili-ready diced tomatoes
1 cup chopped onion
2 pkts (1 1/4-oz each) mild chili seasoning
2 tbsp instant coffee granules
2 tbsp brown sugar

Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper to season; place in slow cooker or crockpot.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to blend well.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high 4 to 6 hours. 

 

Yield: 8 servings

Note: File Photo

CHICKPEAS AND ESCAROLE SOUP

1 slice bacon, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked orzo
1 bunch escarole, sliced
1 1/2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
freshly ground black pepper
shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

Cook bacon in a stockpot over medium heat for 1 minute.  Add garlic and cook until the bacon is browned.  Add the chicken broth and Italian seasoning.  Cover and cook 10 minutes.

Add the escarole, tomatoes, and chickpeas.  Cook another 10 minutes or until escarole is tender.  Season
with black pepper.

To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls and top with a sprinkling of the shredded Parmesan.

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COUNTRY CAPTIAN STEW (OLD WW RECIPE)

1 can (14.5-oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 onion, sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 1/2 lb chicken legs, breasts, thighs; skinned
2 tbsp cold water
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thin
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 tsp toasted coconut, optional

1 tbsp slivered almonds, optional

This recipe needs a 5-6 quart size crockpot or slow cooker.

Combine the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, ginger, curry, cinnamon, and salt in the cooker.  Lay the chicken pieces over the vegetable-spice mixture.  Place lid on cooker and cook 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.  Chicken should be fork-tender.

Approximately 1/2 hour before the cooking time is up, mix the water and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth.  Stir into the slow cooker.  Add the apple and peas; stir to blend.  Cover and cook on high for approximately 20 minutes until the mixture simmers and thickens and apples are just fork tender.

Sprinkle with the coconut and currants  or raisins just before serving, if desired.

WW photo

Yield: 8 servings of 1 piece of chicken and 3/4 cup vegetables/sauce

Per serving: Approximately 224 cal, 3 g fat (2 g sat), 13 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 26 g pro
This is a WW recipe and a serving = 5 WW points

RAVIOLI STEW

2 cups sliced carrots

1 cup chopped yellow onions
2 cans (14 1/2-oz each) chicken broth
2 cans (14 1/2-oz each) Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 can (19-oz) cannellini beans, drained
2 tsp basil
1 pkg (9-oz) refrigerated ravioli (your choice of type)

Combine the carrots, onions, broth, tomatoes with juice, beans, and basil in crock-pot or slow cooker; stir to mix well.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 6 hours or until carrots are tender.

10-12 minutes before serving time increase the heat to high.  Let cook on high 2 to 4 minutes then add the ravioli.  Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes or until the ravioli are tender.

Yield: 8 servings of 1 1/3 cup each.
Per serving: 4 g (2 sat) fat, 15 mg chol, 790 mg sod, 34 (6g-fiber, 6g-sugar) carbs, 10 g protein

SPICED APPLE BUTTER

9 cups applesauce

5 cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Place all the ingredients in a crock-pot or slow cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook mixture on high for about 30 minutes.  Reduce heat to low and cook until red and thick, about 18 hours. It is not necessary to stir unless you just want to.

Can in jelly or pint jars or keep in refrigerator for several weeks.

Great on hot biscuits!

 

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CREAMY CARROT SOUP

1 1/2 lbs carrots, peeled, trimmed & cut-up into pieces 3-inches long

1 medium yellow onion
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
32-oz vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tbsp cream
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp instant potato flakes or granules for thickening soup, if desired
chopped cashews for garnish, if desired
Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, if desired

Sprinkle the onion and garlic over the bottom of the slow cooker or crock-pot; top with carrots.  Add the vegetable broth and water.  Place lid on cooker and cook for 6 hours on high or on low for 8 hours.

Uncover soup and stir in the brown sugar, ground ginger, cream, salt, and instant potatoes, if using.  Using either a blender, immersion blender, or food processor, puree carefully until of the desired consistency.

To serve, ladle the soup into soup bowls and garnish with the chopped cashews and cilantro, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: Approximately 108 cal, 2 g (1 g sat) fat, 2 g pro, 21 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 7 mg chol, and 910 mg sodium

Note: I first got this recipe from an old Family Circle magazine several years ago.

PORK RAGU WITH PASTA

2 cans (14.5-oz each) Italian-style diced tomatoes

1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 lbs country-style pork ribs
1/2 lb zucchini, diced
1 lb whole-wheat farfalle pasta, cooked according to pkg directions, drained - saving some liquid
1 cup shredded 4-blend cheese (Italian-style)

Spray crock-pot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the tomatoes, onion, carrots, garlic, half the salt, half the pepper, oregano, and pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Add the ribs and spoon the sauce over the ribs. Sprinkle the zucchini overall.
Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8 hours.
Remove the ribs from cooker; shred the meat. Discard bones and fat; stir the shredded meat back into the cooker. Stir in the rest of the salt and black pepper.
Stir 4 cups of the sauce into into the prepared, drained pasta. Add some reserved pasta liquid, if desired. Stir in the cheese and serve.
Remaining sauce can be frozen for future use.
Yield: Serves 6 (with 4 cups leftover sauce for freezing).

This is a file photo.